Hiking in Norway
Walking Through the dramatic fjords of Norway
Norway is considered one of the best spots for those who enjoy hiking when travelling. It is known by its fjords and northern lights and has the longest coastline of Europe and stunning landscapes that envolves glaciers and an endless number of waterfalls that lead to the magic fjords. The Nordic country offers iconic and really known places as Trolltunga, Preikestolen, Trollvegen, Lofoten Islands and a countless list of gorgeous fjords. Norwegians appreciate a lot the nature of its country and hiking is part of the culture of Norway.
Norway still has incredible hikes where is possible that you feel completely connected with nature when walking alone through the infinite paths. Allesmanratten is a norwegian law that will alow you to set up a tent to overnight almost everywhere, a think that
trolltunga-norway-hiking-trail
Trolltunga, Norway
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Tromso city views from Fjellheisen
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Amazing view of the lake
Northern lights Norway Hiking
Backpacking in Tromso, perfect place for northern lights
Best trails of Norway
Countless km of incredible paths awaits you in Norway, from the Artic north of Tromso to the Preikestolen near Stavanger. All the landscapes in Norway are incredible but some of the hikes that passes by these amazing places are part of the best hikes of Europe. Though Norway is known by its fjors, it has as well wide open mountain landscape with its numerous lakes near the border with Sweden where is possible to observe the wildlife.
Best spots to hike in Norway
1. Tromso
2. Lofoten Islands
3. More og Romsdal
4. Sogn of fjordane
5. Hordaland
6. Oppland
hiking trails in Norway
NORWAY WALKING GUIDE – Practical Information
How to get around
To do hitch-hike in Norway is allowed but the weather conditions can do of this method a harsh way to travel. Travellers assume the risk of doing hitchhike knowing that is not entirely safe. Norwegians are not used to do hitchhike and not even to see hitchhikers often due to the climate. Places as Lofoten Islands or Troms are the best for doing hitchhike during the summer season.
The airlines Norwegian, SAS and Wideroe have national flights that can sometimes be cheaper than buses or trains. Widerøe has regional flights to the smaller airports.
The price of the petrol in Norway is very expensive and renting a car as well if it’s not booked in advance. Nanobil can be sometimes a bit cheaper than to rent a car in a rental company
Public transport
Travelling between regions is possible by plane, buses, trains and ferries.
The main bus companies that operate in Norway are Lavprsekspressen, Nettbus, and Nor-Way.
The national train company NSB offers a good and efficient network between the most important towns of the country. Booking the ticket in advance gives you the chance to take cheaper prices known as “minipris”.
Due to the geography of the west part of the country, Norway has many connections by ferry along the fjords are.
How to get
Flying to Norway is normally the fastest way to travel and several Airlines operates from Europe and North America to Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Tromso… The national airlines SAS, Norwegian have direct flights and other foreign companies as well.
There are boat connections with Germany, Denmark and Sweden
The connection by train is possible from Sweden through the south, east and north part of Norway.
Travelling by bus is possible from Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Russia
Accomodation at mountain
Wild camping or bivouac is regulated by a law called allemansratten that literally means Everybody’s right. The law allows to put up a tent, caravan or van for the night everywhere if you are at least 150m of any inhabited cabin, house… In case you want to stay more than one night is needed to ask permission to the owner except in remote areas. In cultivated lands is not allowed to put up a tent of course. Learn more about the right to Roam in the official website of Visit Norway.
There are more than 1000 Campings extended all around the geography. The price of these campings mainly depends on where it is located and the facilities it offers. Almost always the campings in Norway have a living room with all kind of facilities for the rough rainy days.
Mountain huts, cabins and shelters are spread in nature. With more than 500 cabins, DNT (The Norwegian Trekking Association) makes possible to hike from cabin to cabin booking in advance. There are as well private and public cabins. Three different types of lodges can be found, staffed lodges (with electricity, showers,…) self-service cabins and no service cabins.
Accomodation at cities
Couchsurfing in Norway is very useful and easy in general thanks to the number of hosts except in rural areas and big cities like Oslo where there are many requests..
Hostels for backpackers are basically found in cities and touristic spots like Lofoten Islands. The prices of hostels or hotels are quite high in comparation with the rest of Europe At many villages, Airbnb can be a good option to have in mind. If you still haven’t used Airbnb remember to register with the following link to get 25€ off for your next trip here!
What to see and do
It has very known places as Trolltunga, Preikestolen, Bergen, Lofoten Island, Svalbard… The west coast is characterized by fjords, coastal towns and is one of the most beautiful parts of Norway (from Stavanger to Trondheim). In the north is located the Lofoten Islands, Tromso and Nordkapp, magic places to experience the northern lights during winter and midnight sun during summer. The continental part of Norway that is near Sweden has unique villages as Roros and the terrain is flat and very cold during winter.
The places we suggest to explore are the fjords from Stavanger to Ålesund, especially Romsdal, Geiranger, Jostedalsbreen National Park, Sognefjorden (Nærøy and Aurlandsfjorden), Hardangerfjorden, Lysefjord, Trondheim, Bergen, Roros, Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park. Lofoten Islands, Senja, Tromso, Lyngen Alps and Nordkapp.
When to go hiking
During the winter season, the lack of sunlight and the weather conditions make very harsh to explore the country on foot. Then is better to experience the Cross-country skiing and discover the winter landscapes on skis.
Weather
The climate in the Nordic land is milder than other climates at the same latitude. It can get very cold during winter, especially near the border with Sweden, and cool during the summer with some days with high temperatures.
The weather on the coastline is mild. It is very wet but is warmer than in the continental part. The inland part has very low temperatures during winter and lots of snow and during summer has a dry and hot weather.
At high altitudes (above 1000m) the nights during summer are cold and sometimes it snows above this altitude so warm clothes are essencial for hiking above 1000m.
As it’s said in Norway, there is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.
Dangers and tips while hiking in Norway
Topographic maps can be found online in the public website Norgeskart and are possible to find as well the physical maps on the Nordeca website.
In Norway there are a few dangers with wildlife, specially in Svalbard. It is recommended to read the dangers from the worldnomads website.
Be aware of the weather conditions while hiking in Norway. The best season to hike is from May to September. Even though the conditions can be dangerous depending on the terrain we are hiking. Read the Safety post to return to hike another day.